Gillingham 1 Port Vale 1

Danny Kedwell converts from the spot to
equalise for Gillingham against Port
Vale
Picture Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Danny Kedwell struck from the spot to rescue a point for
Gillingham.

The Gills trailed at the break against Port Vale to a Marc
Richards goal, but levelled just after the hour with a converted
penalty from Kedwell.

Gillingham had numerous chances in the League 2 match, but their
failure to finish left them sharing the points with Vale.

Andy Hessenthaler tinkered with his formation as he gave Luke
Rooney a free role behind a front three of Jo Kuffour, Frank Nouble
and Kedwell.

The system caused visitors Port Vale a number of problems but,
by the interval, the Gills were a goal behind courtesy of a 33rd
minute goal from Marc Richards.

The goal ended a promising start from the home side, with the
tide turning after Tom Pope struck the bar with a header, just
before the half-hour. It was Pope's cross seven minutes later that
Richards tucked away.

Towards the end of the first half the Gills again dominated and
Rooney came close on a couple of occasions, the closest being a
deflected shot that flashed narrowly wide after he had burst into
the box.

Nouble also flashed a volley wide, three minutes before the
break, but Port Vale held their led as the teams went inside at the
interval.

The visitors had the best early effort after the turnaround when
Doug Loft smashed a shot that was deflected narrowly wide.

Gillingham got a grip of the game again, but lost influential
midfielder Charlie Lee to injury.

Chances continued for Hessenthaler's men, with Kedwell heading
over, but the Gills striker finally found the net on 62 minutes,
for his fifth goal of the season, after tucking away a twice-taken
penalty.

The referee pointed to the spot after Nouble was felled by
Robert Taylor. Kedwell's initial effort was saved by keeper Stuart
Tomlinson, but was retaken as the linesman judged that the Vale man
had moved off his line.

Vale came back at the Gills but Nouble's trickery gave
Hessenthaler's men the outlet they needed and he fired wide with 20
minutes left after linking up well with Kedwell.

At the other end Ross Flitney needed to make a save low
down to deny Pope from distance. It was clear neither side were
content with the point, but the match went into the final few
minutes still all-square.

Matt Fish saw his cross-shot saved well by Tomlinson with five
minutes to go, Chris Whelpdale looped a header over the bar and
Kedwell scuffed a shot into the keeper's arms.

Gillingham continued to press until the final whistle, but the
winner failed to materialise.